LMI Population Spatial Analysis

Jacob Ford

21 August, 2023

Overview

This document quantifies the number of income and geographic qualified population in each state Solstice operates in. Additionally, results by utility zones is provided. We use state specific LMI and geographic qualification definitions and overlay utility zones to estimate the population covered. The goal of this work is to provide data driven insights when new markets are considered with LMI requirements.

Utility coverage is provided by either the HIFLD national level electric retail service territories or, preferably, state sources that are more granular. Note HIFLD often provides overlapping areas (ex: a municipal boundary and an utility provider) so data should primarily be sourced from state sources or be validated from HIFLD.

New Mexico

Geoqualification

In New Mexico, there is no geographic qualification methods, so we only focus on estimating the potential LMI population by various methods used in the state program.

LMI Qualifications

New Mexico LMI Qualification methods are detailed in the policy matrix, but in summary include:

Census data is available for the population receiving Medicaid, SNAP, and number of households at or below 80% AMI. The following analysis quantifies the total eligible LMI population by each of these three categories.

Solstice operates in the following three utility zones in New Mexico:

  • Public Service Company of New Mexico
  • Excel
  • El Paso Electric

The table below shows total population by LMI qualification method by utility area coverage. Note, these LMI groups are not mutually exclusive, rather are snap shots of the individual method’s population.

The map shows the census tracts loaded with the LMI qualification methods by utility zone coverage.

Low Income Housing

To estimate the total number of New Mexicans residing in low income housing, we first require a list of eligible properties. We take each affordable rental property listed on the MFA Housing New Mexico website. After geocoding each point, we have several options for determining the population concentration around each point. A common technique in transportation modeling is applying an isocrhone, or a travel time map. In our case, we want to see how many eligible population of SNAP, Medicaid and 80% AMI households are within a 15 and 30 minute driving radius around each point.

New York

Geoqualification

Residence in a DAC or EmPower pre-screened area.

We consider the following five utility zones in New York:

  • National Grid
  • NYSEG
  • Central Hudson
  • Rochester Gas & Electric
  • Orange & Rockland

Pre-screened areas

to-do: note, recreating eligible block groups is not available.

DAC BGs

LMI Qualifications

New York LMI Qualification methods are detailed in the policy matrix, but in summary include:

  • LMI - 80% of AMI
  • Award letters for EmPower, HEAP, SNAP, TANF, SSSI; HEAP or other assistance on utility bill

The table below shows total population by LMI qualification method by utility area coverage. Note, these LMI groups are not mutually exclusive, rather are snap shots of the individual method’s population.

The map shows the census tracts loaded with the LMI qualification methods by utility zone coverage.

LIFT Solar

California

Geoqualification

LMI Qualifications